Brett Favre can't seem to let himself go away

Brett Favre doesn't have to continue coming off as one of the most self-absorbed players ever to wear an NFL uniform, if not the most self-absorbed. He actually could leave the game with a little class, but that seems to be above him.

So here he goes again, presumably unable to stay away even though he's the one who voluntarily quit, probably angling for a job in Minnesota because the Vikings very well could be the lone remaining NFL team that wants him.

And his act has gone well past pathetic.

Not because he still wants to play. Heaven knows that Favre - and any other athlete, for that matter - is entitled to play as long as he wants to try to play.

The rest of us have our opinion and, often, prematurely attempt to shove athletes into retirement. But the fact is only the player should decide when he or she is done. Internal peace won't come for him until he comes to grips with the fact that there's nothing left in the tank; at least, not enough to allow him to compete at the elite level. When that determination is made, then it's a lot easier to walk away.

Favre isn't out of gas, despite sputtering to the finish line last season with the Jets. He has some game left, perhaps enough to start for Minnesota. If he didn't, Vikings coach Brad Childress probably wouldn't bother meeting with Favre this week, likely to gauge the interest of the future Hall of Famer.

That part, we understand.

It's Favre's ritual of voluntarily retiring, shortly before deciding that he wants to explore continuing to play, that's really hard to understand. It's his now-twice insistence that he was done with the game, that he was tired and ready to go home and do whatever it is he does at home full-time, and behind-the-scenes maneuvering to secure a release so he might be able to play for a team on his wish list, that gives him the look of a fellow whose word can't be taken at face value.

No one made him quit on Green Bay last year; the Packers, in fact, had given him extended periods of time the previous few seasons to decide if he wanted to go on. No one forced him out of New York this year; he made the decision to announce he was done with football.

But in each case, apparently, he only wanted to be freed from one situation so he could pursue another.

That is his right. If a guy doesn't like where he's working, there's nothing wrong with him trying to find another place to work. If he believes he can excel somewhere else, he's entitled to voice that opinion.

But Favre, obviously, wants to circumvent the part of the process that entitles his current employer to seek some kind of compensation in exchange for his departure. And he does that by quitting on them, then asking to be released so he can pick and choose where he goes.

The Packers wouldn't cave and grant him a release, so Favre wound up being traded to the Jets. The Jets - foolishly, it appears - believed him when he said he'd had enough and granted him his release. Which means if Favre winds up with the Vikings, Minnesota will get for free New York's starting quarterback from last season, a guy who played pretty well until he injured his throwing arm.

Granted, the Jets might not care. Maybe they saw enough of Favre last season to determine they didn't want him back under any set of circumstances. But, probably, they were robbed of an option when Favre quit and told them - and us, again - that he just couldn't see himself playing football anymore.

Apparently, because he's willing even to discuss playing for Minnesota, it turns out he very much can see that. And we very much can see some things about him, too.